Donald Gotterbarn

Who is Donald Gotterbarn?

Donald William Gotterbarn is a leading computer ethics researcher. Gotterbarn received his Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1971 from the University of Rochester. He also earned his M. Div. from the Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

Gotterbarn is a leading author of the Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice which promotes ethics among software engineers. Gotterbarn received the ACM SIGCAS Making a Difference Award in 2002 for his research and work regarding computer and software engineering ethics.He was awarded the 2005 Outstanding Contribution to the ACM Award "for exceptional accomplishments and leadership as both an educator and practitioner, in establishing the ACM's Codes of Ethics and promoting the ethical behavior of computing professionals and organizations." He received the 2010 Weizenbaum Award "for his role in developing the moral consciousness of the profession." He is the chair of the Association for Computer Machinery's Committee on Professional Ethics.

Gotterbarn is currently a Professor Emeritus at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN.